Make-A-Wish South Carolina and Applebee's deliver a boat for Tron

Tron Foster

Tron Foster and his mother Ashley Garner sit in his new fishing boat that he received Monday in Spartanburg. Foster, 10, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2011, was surprised with his wish for a fishing boat while his family was enjoying a dinner at Applebee's Monday evening. His new boat, custom painted with Clemson colors, was stocked with fishing poles and other items needed for a fishing trip. His mother said she is planning on his first fishing expedition this Saturday, his birthday.

Published: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 10:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 10:41 p.m.

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The words were written in white paint along the side of the boat, and as 10-year-old Tron Foster stepped out of Applebee's Monday evening, there was no mistaking that it was his.

“Wow,” said Tron, who has been battling various types of cancer and lung disease since the age of 5.

It was painted a bright orange, decorated with Clemson Tiger paws. Inside, were fishing rods, life vests and a tackle box full of bait — everything one needs for a family fishing trip.

This was what he always wanted — a Clemson Tiger fishing boat. Make-A-Wish of South Carolina and Applebee's in Spartanburg helped him reel it in.

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy, according to a news release. They granted 142 wishes throughout the state last year; funding is made possible through private donations, individuals, companies, and special events.

Forty-five Apple Gold Group Applebee's restaurants in North and South Carolina are striving to raise $227,000 for Make-A-Wish this year, according to the web site of the Raleigh, N.C.-based company.

Tron wasted no time climbing inside the bright orange boat. He pretended he was out on the water and slid on a life vest.

“I love the boat,” he said. “I love fishing.”

Surrounded by friends and family members in the Applebee's parking lot, Tron continued to smile — something his mother, Ashley Garner, hasn't seen him do in some time.

“It's worth it just to see him smile,” she said. “He's been so down lately. For a mom, just to see him smile is priceless.”

Tron was diagnosed with bone cancer when he was 5. He went through treatment, but ultimately, in 2011, needed a bone marrow transplant.

“I was his donor,” Garner said. “And that's surprising, because parents are never a match.”

But now, as a result of the transplant, Tron is struggling with chronic lung disease and is in need of a lung transplant.

<p>“Tron's boat.”</p><p>The words were written in white paint along the side of the boat, and as 10-year-old Tron Foster stepped out of Applebee's Monday evening, there was no mistaking that it was his.</p><p>“Wow,” said Tron, who has been battling various types of cancer and lung disease since the age of 5.</p><p>It was painted a bright orange, decorated with Clemson Tiger paws. Inside, were fishing rods, life vests and a tackle box full of bait — everything one needs for a family fishing trip.</p><p>This was what he always wanted — a Clemson Tiger fishing boat. Make-A-Wish of South Carolina and Applebee's in Spartanburg helped him reel it in.</p><p>Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy, according to a news release. They granted 142 wishes throughout the state last year; funding is made possible through private donations, individuals, companies, and special events.</p><p>Forty-five Apple Gold Group Applebee's restaurants in North and South Carolina are striving to raise $227,000 for Make-A-Wish this year, according to the web site of the Raleigh, N.C.-based company.</p><p>Tron wasted no time climbing inside the bright orange boat. He pretended he was out on the water and slid on a life vest.</p><p>“I love the boat,” he said. “I love fishing.”</p><p>Surrounded by friends and family members in the Applebee's parking lot, Tron continued to smile — something his mother, Ashley Garner, hasn't seen him do in some time.</p><p>“It's worth it just to see him smile,” she said. “He's been so down lately. For a mom, just to see him smile is priceless.”</p><p>Tron was diagnosed with bone cancer when he was 5. He went through treatment, but ultimately, in 2011, needed a bone marrow transplant.</p><p>“I was his donor,” Garner said. “And that's surprising, because parents are never a match.”</p><p>But now, as a result of the transplant, Tron is struggling with chronic lung disease and is in need of a lung transplant.</p><p>“We turn to prayer, family, friends, and school,” Garner added. “His school, Boiling Springs Intermediate School, has been really supportive.”</p><p>The school even did fundraisers to help make his wish possible.</p><p>“This is a gift he will not forget,” she said. “He's been wanting a fishing boat for about three or four years.”</p><p>She said they plan on taking it out on the water Saturday to celebrate Tron's 11th birthday.</p><p>Beth Taylor, a member of Make-A-Wish of South Carolina's board of directors, was on hand to help fulfill the rather unique wish.</p><p>“A lot of kids wish for trips to Disney World or other trips,” she said. “We have had so much fun with this wish, because it's something different.”</p><p>Originally, the boat was a typical green johnboat, but Make-A-Wish of South Carolina 's President Russell Smith had a professional add a custom orange coat to represent Tron's favorite team.</p><p>Taylor said wishes typically cost between $6,800 and $7,200.</p><p>Back on the boat in the Applebee's parking lot, Tron, with the life vest securely around his neck, didn't want to get out.</p><p>“He could stay there all day,” said his mother, with a smile almost as big as his.</p>